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982
WILLIAM
CONVERSE.
William Converse is numbered among Iowa's pioneers
of the year 1842. The state organization had not
then been effected and in fact it was four years
before it ceased to be under territorial rule.
There were great tracts of wild land still unclaimed
and uncultivated and over the prairies roamed
deer and other wild game. The land was rich in
possibilities but the tide of immigration had
not yet brought to the state the vast number of
people who were to make use of its natural resources
in the founding of the splendid commonwealth here.
Mr. Converse was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania,
on the 20th of October, 1833, and was therefore
nine years of age when the family came to this
territory.. His parents were Erastus and Elizabeth
Converse, natives of Vermont and Connecticut respectively.
The father always followed the occupation of farming.
On coming to Iowa the Indian reservation extended
to within three miles of his claim and the land
on which he settled had not yet come into the
market. He built a log house with clapboard roofing,
puncheon floor and puncheon door, and occupied
that primitive cabin for five years, meeting with
all the hardships and difficulties and bravely
facing all the dangers incident to the settlement
of the far west. His nearest trading point at
that time was Burlington, Iowa, and for five years
the family never had any meat except wild game,
including deer, turkeys and prairie chickens.
Mr. Converse remembers to have seen his father
shoot a large deer from the cabin door in the
early morning before breakfast. He has seen as
many as one hundred wild turkeys in a drove and
a herd of twenty-eight deer, in Iowa county, one
of which he shot. This scared the others, which
disappeared before he could fire again. Deer were
killed within three miles of his present home.
During his boyhood there were four years that
the family did not have wheat flour, sugar, tea
or coffee, but lived principally on buckwheat
flour ground by hand and sifted
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with a sieve, while tea was made from red root.
At the time they had neither a cow nor a hog.
Although they had no sugar for five years, bee
trees were often found in the timber and honey
was a good substitute.
After a residence in Iowa of five years the father
died but the mother reared her children upon the
claim in Iowa county, which he had secured, until
they had attained majority and started out in
life on their own account. In 1880 she came with
her son William to Pottawattamie county and here
made her home until called to her final rest in
1900 when in her eighty-eighth year. In the family
were six children but only three are now living:
John, a resident of California; William, of this
review; and Erastus T., living in Canada. Two
of the sons, George and Henry, were soldiers of
the Civil war, the latter belonging to the Illinois
Sharpshooters, and both died in the army.
During his boyhood William Converse aided in
the arduous task of developing a new farm and
bringing the fields to a state of rich fertility.
He has known what it is to live many miles from
neighbors, the wild unbroken prairie stretching
for miles around. Each day brought its task and
each night saw their fulfillment, for the members
of the Converse household were people of industry
who never slighted their work. In those early
days dressed pork sold for a dollar and a half
per hundred at Iowa City, and Mr. Converse has
seen deer sell for a dollar and a half apiece
and prairie chickens for eighteen cents per dozen.
Leaving home at the age of seventeen years he
entered the employ of the government as a teamster,
hauling freight from Fort Snelling, Minnesota,
to where they were building Fort Gaines. He was
also employed as a cook at the latter place for
a time. Minneapolis was then known as St. Anthony's
Falls and contained but one house, in which were
boarded the mill hands. After a year spent in
that region Mr. Converse returned home and resumed
farming, which pursuit he has since followed.
In connection with his farming operations he prepared
himself for the practice of veterinary surgery
and has followed that calling for forty years.
In 1871 he arrived in Pottawattamie county and
bought four hundred acres of land where he now
lives in Valley township, paying seven dollars
per acre for three hundred and twenty acres and
nine dollars per acre for the remainder. He has
improved the land by tilling it, has erected substantial
buildings and has carried on the work of the fields
along modern progressive lines, He uses the latest
improved machinery in planting, cultivating and
harvesting his crops, and for the past twenty
years has made a specialty of the breeding of
high grade horses, handling imported stock--French
draft Clydesdale and French coach horses.
In 1852 Mr. Converse was united in marriage to
Miss Jane Henry, who was born in Ohio, May 24,
1836, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (Richardson)
Henry. In their family were twelve children, while.
unto Mr. and Mrs. Converse were born six children,
five of whom are yet living, namely: Mary, the
wife of Melvin Macrae, of Valley township; Charles
H., of California; Ella, the wife of Archie Talbott,
also of Valley township; Emma, the wife of Charles
Dewey, of Dexter; and Clara, the wife
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of Leslie Olsen, of Valley township. The wife
and mother passed away November 28, 1904, leaving
a husband and five children to mourn her loss,
beside many friends who esteemed her for her good
traits of character.
In politics Mr. Converse was formerly a republican
but now affiliates with the democratic party.
Although not a politician in the sense of office
seeking he has served 'as township trustee and
for fourteen years has been a member of the school
board. For seventeen consecutive years he was
president of the Anti-Horse Thief Association,
and he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Avoca,
the Odd Fellows lodge at Hancock, and the Good
Templars lodge in Valley township, being connected
with the last named order for fifty-five years.
His life has been in harmony with the beneficent
spirit of these fraternities which have their
basic principles in mutual helpfulness and brotherly
kindness. Mr. Converse is an early settler of
Pottawattamie county and one of the pioneers of
the state, having for sixty-five years resided
within its borders. Few men have more intimate
knowledge of its history from the standpoint of
personal experience and personal observation.
His reminiscences of pioneer life are intensely
interesting and his memory forms a connecting
link between the primitive past and the progressive
present
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Henry Weirich derives a good annual income from
a valuable farming property of three hundred and
fifty-nine and a half acres in Wright township.
It is pleasantly and conveniently located about
four miles northwest of Griswold, so that the
advantages of the town are easily obtainable,
while the comforts of rural life are to be continually
enjoyed. A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Weirich
was born in Columbia county, April 30, 1853, his
parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Baker) Weirich,
who were natives of Germany. They came to America
at an early date and first settled in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, but afterward journeyed
across the country until they established their
home in Cass county, Iowa, in 1869. The father,
who engaged in coal mining throughout his entire
life, died in 1887, while the mother is still
living in her eighty-seventh year, her home being
now in Griswold. They were the parents of eight
children, of whom three have passed away, while
those still living are: V. J., of Griswold; Henry;
Frank, also living in Griswold; John, who makes
his home in Cherry county, Nebraska; and Peter,
living in Pasadena, California.
Henry Weirich was largely reared in the Keystone
state, remaining with his parents until he had
reached years of maturity. He came with them to
Iowa in 1869, when a youth of sixteen years, and
on starting out in life on his own account he
learned the carpenter's trade, becoming a first
class workman and following that pursuit for sixteen
years, In the meantime, through the careful husbanding
of his resources, he was enabled to acquire the
capital that
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justified his engaging in mercantile pursuits
at Griswold, where he carried on business for
four years. At the end of that time he bought
a farm lying in Cass and Montgomery counties.
This he improved, making it his home for twelve
years, when he sold out and bought a farm in Wright
township, thus becoming owner of three hundred
and fifty-nine and a half acres on sections 34,
35, 26 and 27, where he now lives. Its proximity
to Griswold, its naturally rich soil and the many
excellent improvements which have been put upon
the place make this one of the finest farms of
Wright township and in addition to the tilling
of the soil Mr. Weirich is successfully and extensively
engaged in raising and feeding high grade cattle
and hogs.
On the 22d of November, 1877, Mr. Weirich was
united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Eshelman,
who was born in Carroll county, Illinois, being
one of a family of seven children. Unto our subject
and his wife have been born eleven children: Walter
W., now living in Kansas; Daisy J., the wife of
L. C. Bazer, residing on the old home farm; Stella
E., the wife of J. R. Linder, of Mattoon, Illinois;
Leonard J., living in Pottawattamie county; Nellie
A., the wife of Fred Bazer, of Nebraska; Elvin
0., B. J., Reuben, Agnes, James A. and Mamie L.,
all at home. The wife and mother passed away July
25, 1905, and her death was deeply regretted not
only by her immediate family but by many friends
as well, for she possessed excellent traits of
character that endeared her to those with whom
she came in contact.
Mr. Weirich is a devoted member of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Griswold. His political views
accord with the principles of the republican party
and although he has never sought or desired political
office he is now serving as school director. Fraternally
he is connected with the Court of Honor. Starting
out in business life with no capital save the
substantial qualities of energy and ambition,
his advancement has come to him as the reward
of well directed labor and honest dealing.
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Thomas J. Young, secretary, treasurer and manager
of the Michelwait-Young Company, is closely associated
with commercial interests in Macedonia, the firm
owning here an excellent elevator and engaging
in the grain, flour, coal and lumber trades. Alert
and enterprising, Mr. Young has manifested a spirit
of determination and capable management in all
his undertakings that has led to success. A native
of Illinois, he was born in Peru, La Salle county,
February 8, 1855, his parents being Naasson and
Susan (Kerby) Young. The father was born in the
north of Ireland in 181C and came to the United
States in 1852 with his wife and seven children.
He made his way to Chicago, where he resided for
two years and then went to Peru, Illinois. In
1882 he returned to Chicago and in that city as
well as in Peru engaged in the lumber business,
enjoying an extensive patronage, and in Chicago
he also engaged in dealing in lumber. His death
occurred in Chicago in 1887 when he was seventy-seven
988
years of age, and his wife also passed away in
the western metropolis, her death occurring in
1901 when she was eighty-six years of age.
Thomas J. Young is the youngest of a family of
three sons and five daughters and the only one
born in this country. He remained in La Salle
county, Illinois, until twenty-three years of
age and is indebted to the public-school system
for the educational privileges he enjoyed. After
the completion of his course he entered the employ
of his brother, Miles Young, who was engaged,
in the elevator and milling business, continuing
with him for three years. On the expiration of
that period he removed to Cabery, Ford county,
Illinois, where he formed a partnership with William
Walker, of Peru, and built an elevator which they
conducted for a year. Mr. Young then sold his
interest to his partner and in 1879 made his way
westward to Omaha, Nebraska, where he formed a
partnership with Christ Hartman in the packing
and canning of beef. A year later they sold out
to the firm of Harris & Fisher and Mr. Young
came to Macedonia, where he has since resided.
Forming a partnership with T. J. Evans, of Council
Bluffs, they built the first elevator at Macedonia
in 1880. In 1882 Mr. Evans sold his interest to
George and Richard Michelwait, of Glenwood, and
the firm of Michelwait & Young conducted business
until 1888. In that year the business was incorporated
under the name of the Michelwait-Young Company,
under which style their interests have since been
carried forward. They own the elevator at Macedonia,
and conduct an extensive business as grain dealers,
also handling four, coal and lumber. From the
beginning Mr. Young has been secretary, treasurer
and manager and the success of this enterprise
is attributable in large measure to his earnest
efforts. Messrs. Michelwait, too, are men of excellent
business ability and that the relation between
them has ever been harmonious is indicated by
the fact that it has had a continuous existence
covering a quarter of a century. Mr. Young has
extended his efforts into other fields of labor
and his co-operation is regarded as a valued factor,
for his business opinions are sound and his enterprise
unremitting. He is now the vice president of the
Macedonia State Bank and a stockholder in the
Macedonia Improvement Company and the Macedonia
Implement Company. He has large real-estate interests,
owning eleven hundred acres of valuable land in
Pottawattamie county, besides city property, including
six or more business buildings. He is also a stockholder
in the Harle-Haas Drug Company of Council Bluffs.
Mr. Young has been married twice. In 1887 he
wedded Miss Lizzie Gordon, of Bloomington, Indiana,
who died a year later. In 1891 he was joined in
wedlock to Miss Laura Kiser, a native of Madison
county, Iowa, and a daughter of Reuben Kiser.
She was reared in Macedonia, and unto this marriage
have been born four children: Florinda, Lenora,
Naasson and Margaret.
Mr. Young is a stalwart republican, having always
supported the party since age conferred upon him
the right of franchise. He has served as a member
of the city council for several years and the
progressive interests of the city receive his
stalwart endorsement. For twenty-seven years he
has been a member of the school board or since
the district was formed, and has likewise been
president of the board. He gives hearty aid to
every movement for the general good and has contributed
in substantial measure to the progress of the
town
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along many lines. He belongs to the Odd Fellows
society of Macedonia and to the Elks lodge of
Council Bluffs. His success has been by no means
the result of fortunate circumstances. It has
come to him through energy, labor and perseverance
directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honorable
business principles. He finds his greatest source
of enjoyment at his own fireside, where his family
and friends know him to be a delightful companion.
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Thomas R. Strong, who follows farming and the
raising and feeding of stock on section 5, Center
township, owns here two hundred acres of land
and also cultivates other land, which he leases.
His home place has excellent improvements upon
it, in keeping with ideas of model farming and
in its excellent appearance indicates the supervision
of a practical, painstaking and progressive owner.
His birth occurred in Center township before it
was divided, his natal day being February 9, 1865.
His parents, S. C. and Lucy (Clover) Strong,
have for the past two years been residents of
Oakland, having in the meantime resided in Center
township from 1864. Both are natives of Ohio but
in childhood came with their respective parents
to Iowa, settling first in Jefferson county, where
they were married nearly fifty years ago. They
began their domestic life there but after several
years removed to Pottawattamie county. They had
five children who are yet living: Alice, the wife
of A. E. Wert, residing in Granite City, Illinois;
W. Fred, who is with the McAtee Grocery Company
of Council Bluffs; James, & farmer living
on section 3, Center township; C. C., whose home
is on the same section; and Thomas R. They lost
a daughter, Florence, in early womanhood, while
another daughter died in childhood.
Thomas R. Strong was reared and has always resided
in Center township. At the usual age he began
his education in the public schools and has been
very successful in the work of the farm since
he started out in business life on his own account.
He completed arrangements for having a home of
his own by his marriage in 1888, when he secured
as a companion and helpmate for life's journey
Miss Addie Butler, who was born and reared near
Des Moines in Polk county, Iowa. When a maiden
of fifteen years she came to Pottawattamie county
with her parents, W. B. and Margaret (Plummer)
Butler. Her father, who was born in Indiana and
came to Iowa in his youth, followed farming for
many years in Polk and Pottawattamie counties
but is now living in Oakland at the age of sixty-seven
years. His wife, who was born in Ohio, passed
away in 1888 at the age of forty-six years. Mrs.
Strong is one of five living children; Izora,
the wife of T. J. Johns, one of the supervisors
of Pottawattamie county; W. Kinsman, residing
in Center township; Virgil, who owns a farm in
Canada; Cora, the wife of E. I. James, now of
Kansas; and one child who died in infancy.
Mrs. Strong was reared in Pottawattamie county
and by her marriage has become the mother of five
children, of whom three are living: Florence,
now
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fourteen years of age; Gladys, aged thirteen;
and Tacie, eleven years of age. One child, Merle,
died at the age of eight years, and a daughter,
Hazel, when four months old. The family are well
known socially and their own home is a most hospitable
one in its reception of their many friends. In
his fraternal relations Mr. Strong is connected
with the Modern Woodmen camp of Oakland, while
politically he is a republican and has served
in various township offices, including that of
trustee and treasurer. He has also filled school
offices and is interested in all that pertains
to the educational progress, the material development
and the substantial advancement of his section
of the state.
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Rufus Lyman, filling the position of postmaster
at Carson, while at various times he has filled
other offices, his fidelity and capability making
him a valued factor in the official life of the
community, was born in Defiance, Ohio, October
21, 1850. When six years of age he came to Big
Grove, now Oakland, Pottawattamie county, with
his parents. His father, William Lyman, was born
in Lebanon, Connecticut, and about the time he
attained his majority removed to Michigan, where
he was married to Miss Sarah Pierce, a native
of Rutland, Vermont. They afterward became residents
of Ohio and in 1857 arrived at Big Grove, Pottawattamie
county, where the father spent his remaining days,
passing away at the age of sixty-one years. His
entire life was devoted to general agricultural
pursuits and through that occupation he provided
a good living for his family. His widow long survived
him and died at Audubon, Iowa, at the age of eighty-six
years. In their family were six children, namely:
Joseph, who was elected to congress and died during
his second term as a member of the national legislature;
Sereno, deceased; William, who is living in Cedar
Rapids; Rufus; Rhoda, the wife of R. J. Creveling,
of Audubon; and Mrs. Anna Royce, deceased.
Rufus Lyman was reared amid the environments
of pioneer life in this county. He shared with
the family in the arduous task of developing a
new farm and as opportunity offered pursued his
education, attending the district schools near
his father's home and also spending one year as
a student in Tabor College. He taught for about
ten years in the district schools of the county,
proving himself an able educator, imparting readily
and clearly to others the knowledge that he had
acquired. He continued his residence in Oakland
until 1880. While a resident of Hall county, Nebraska,
he served as deputy county clerk for one year,
maintaining his home during that period at Grand
Island. Again coming to Pottawattamie county,
he located at Wheeler, where he entered the field
of general merchandising in connection with L.
D. Woodmansee. The firm of Woodmansee & Lyman
had an existence of about three years, on the
expiration of which period Mr. Lyman began farming
and was closely associated with agricultural interests
east of Macedonia until 1900. Putting aside the
labors of the fields, he came to Carson and bought
a home and five
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acres of land. Here he has since resided and
is one of the representative residents of the
village.
In politics Mr. Lyman has been a life-long republican,
unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. On
the 6th of October, 1906, he was appointed postmaster
of Carson and he has also held various township
offices, serving as clerk of Grove township for
six years, while for tight terms of two years
each he has been a justice of the peace, rendering
decisions which are strictly fair and impartial.
He has always based his opinions upon the law
and the equity in the case and has discharged
the duties of the office in a manner entirely
free from personal prejudice. He has labored earnestly
for the welfare and success of his party, for
he believes its principles are most conducive
to good government.
In 1877 Mr. Lyman was married to Miss Laura Woodmansee,
a daughter of L. D. Woodmansee, with whom Mr.
Lyman was formerly associated in merchandising.
Mrs. Lyman is a native of Lincoln, Illinois, and
by her marriage has become the mother of five
children: Erma, the wife of A. F. Osler, of Macedonia;
L. Dow, at home; Edna, the wife of John Wood,
of Macedonia; Edith, the wife of Carl Wood, of
Woodbine, Iowa; and Evelyn, at home. Mr. and Mrs.
Lyman are well known in the community and their
genuine worth has gained for them many friends.
Mr. Lyman has led a life of activity and in all
relations has commanded the respect and good will
of those with whom he has been associated.
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Eugene W. Peterson, manager at Council Bluffs
for R. G. Dun & Company, is a native of Galesburg,
Illinois, where his birth occurred on the 26th
of August, 1857. His father, Lewis M. Peterson,
was born in Sweden, in 1831, and came to America
when about ten or eleven years of age, the family
home being established in Andover, Illinois. A
few years later a removal was made to Galesburg,
where Lewis Peterson was engaged in the drug business
for about two or three years prior to joining
the army in 1861. In response to the country's
call for aid he enlisted in defense of the Union
and was assigned to the quartermaster's department
at Jefferson barracks, near St. Louis, where he
remained all through the war. He continued a resident
of St. Louis, where he was engaged in the grocery
business, conducting a store for a year or more.
He then sold out and in 1866 sent his family back
to Galesburg, Illinois, where Eugene W. Peterson
completed his education about 1871. The family
then returned to St. Louis, where the father had
remained through these years and where he continued
until his death in 1874. It was twenty years prior
to this time, in 1854, that he had been married
in Galesburg, Illinois, to Miss Caroline Armstrong,
and unto them were born three children: Frank
A., who is a teller in the Bank of Commerce, at
St. Louis, Missouri; Eugene W.; and Albert W.,
who died in Chicago in 1871. The mother is still
living and is now the wife of a Mr. Stenbeck,
of Chicago.
992
Eugene W. Peterson was a lad of six years when
his parents removed to St. Louis, Missouri, but
as stated, he returned to Galesburg, Illinois,
to complete his education. He then again became
a resident of St. Louis in 1871 and about a year
later he entered the employ of R. G. Dun &
Company, acting as manager at that place. He remained
in the St. Louis house until 1885, at which time
he was traveling reporter. In that year he was
given charge of the office of the company in Lincoln,
Nebraska, where he continued for two years, after
which he spent six months in freedom from connection
with business interests in Omaha, Nebraska. In
1880 he took charge of the office of R. G. Dun
& Company, at Council Bluffs, where he has
since remained. Throughout his entire business
career he has been connected with this company--a
fact which stands in indisputable proof of his
fidelity arid his capability in their service.
His unfailing courtesy and his ready understanding
of men, combined with his executive force and
keen perception, well qualify him for the duties
that devolve upon him in this connection.
In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Eugene
W. Peterson and Miss Carrie F. Kerr, of St. Louis,
and they now have three children, Eugene W., Winifred
Margaret and Stuart Kerr. The family belong to
the Plymouth Brethren church and in Council Bluffs,
where they have now lived for almost two decades,
they have gained many warm friends.
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JOHN HARDING.
John Harding, who carries on general farming
on section 32, Grove township, is a son of John
and Isabelle (Hewer) Harding, natives of Wiltshire,
England. The mother died at the age of sixty-two
years. The family numbered seven children, of
whom John Harding is the third in order of birth
and the only one that ever came to the new world.
He was born in Wiltshire, December 28, 1820, and
resided in England for about forty-five years,
his life being there passed as a farmer and dairyman.
He engaged in the manufacture of cheese and butter,
milking about thirty-five cows. He was only eight
years of age at the time of his father's death
and the mother, with an older brother of our subject
and an uncle, conducted a farm, which they rented
for twelve or fourteen years. They then removed
to another farm, upon which John Harding remained
until he left his native land to seek his fortune
in the new world.
In 1866 he came to his present farm and has resided
on this place since the 29th of September of that
year. He had made the journey across the Atlantic
with his wife and seven children and about two
weeks after their arrival twins were added to
the family. Mrs. Harding bore the maiden name
of Louisa Trotman and was also a native of Wiltshire.
She proved a faithful companion and helpmate to
her husband on the journey of life for many years
but died about six years ago at the age of seventy-eight.
Their living children are: Helen Wagner, who is
acting as her father's housekeeper; Maude, of
Boulder, Colorado; Mrs. Finnetta Wilson, of Nebraska;
Robert I., who is liv-
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ing on a farm near his father's place; and Thomas
W., of Nebraska. One daughter, Elizabeth, became
the wife of John Osler, but both are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Harding also lost a number of children
in infancy.
Upon coming to this county Mr. Harding secured
ninety acres of land, for which he paid seven
dollars per acre. About ten acres had been broken
but with this exception the farm was in its primitive
condition and all of the improvements have been
made thereon by Mr. Harding, who has erected good
buildings, has set out a grove and fruit trees
and has devoted his place to the raising of grain
and stock. As his financial resources have increased
he has also extended the boundaries of his farm
until it now comprises two hundred acres. This
is an excellent property and he yet gives personal
supervision to its management. He brought with
him a little money when he came from England but
as he arrived in this country soon after the close
of hostilities between the north and south he
paid war prices for everything and had quite a
struggle to make a living in the early days. As
the years passed, however, he prospered and became
enabled to enjoy many of life's comforts and luxuries.
His political views are in accord with the principles
of democracy and he has held some of the township
offices but has largely given undivided attention
to his business affairs. He has now reached the
age of eighty-seven years and is one of the respected
as well as venerable citizens of the county.
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Henry A. Smith, now living in the village of
Macedonia, has for a long period been connected
with the farming and stock-raising interests of
the county and is now engaged to some extent in
carpentering and building. His birth occurred
in this township, October 13, 1857, his parents
being Stephen and Mary (Frain) Smith, who are
now residing in Grove township, this county, where
the father follows farming, to which pursuit his
entire life has been devoted. In their family
were four sons and a daughter: George M., who
is now living practically retired in Tabor, Iowa;
Willard E., whose home is in Macedonia township;
Clara V., the wife of C. E. Bogue, of Glenwood
Springs, Colorado; and Arthur J., at home.
The other member of the family is Henry A. Smith,
who was reared to the occupation of farming and
has always resided in this county. He was a pupil
in the public schools and when he had mastered
the common branches of English learning, he turned
his attention to agricultural pursuits as a life
work
He has prospered in his undertakings, bringing
his fields under a high state of cultivation,
and through his practical and progressive methods
of tilling the soil has secured good crops, which
have brought a very satisfactory price on the
market. He is now the owner of two excellent farms
in Macedonia township, one comprising one hundred
and twenty acres of land and the other containing
eighty acres. He now leaves the active work of
the farm to others, but still gives personal supervision
to his places. In 1901 he removed to the village
of Macedonia and erected a residence, which he
.has since occupied. For five
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years he was engaged in the hardware business
but has now retired from commercial pursuits.
He is, however, engaged to some extent in carpentering
and building and is thus identified with the improvement
of the town.
Mr. Smith was married, in Grove township, in
1883, to Miss Ella Travis, a native of Jefferson
county, Iowa, and unto them have been born three
children: Grace, Fae and Harry, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a republican
and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth
and ability, have frequently called him to position
of political preferment, so that he has filled
all the township offices. He has been trustee,
township clerk and in Grove township is now serving
as a member of the council. His duties have been
discharged with promptness and fidelity and his
worth as a public-spirited citizen is widely acknowledged.
He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Macedonia,
and he and all his family are members of the Christian
church of Grove township. In the community they
are much esteemed and their circle of warm friends
is an extensive one.
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Fifteen years have come and gone since Andrew
Lischer established his home in Pottawattamie
county, where he has since carried on farming,
owning and cultivating eighty acres on section
3, Waveland township. He was born in the city
of Baltimore, Maryland, September 13, 1845) his
parents being Paul and Sophia (Miller) Lischer,
in whose family of three children only two are
yet living, the elder brother being George J.
Lischer; now a resident of Columbus City, Iowa.
The father, a native of Baden, Germany, was born
in 1804, and his life record covered the span
of ninety-three years, his death occurring in
1897. On coming to the United States in 1840 he
settled at Baltimore. He was a wheelwright by
trade and worked at the wagonmaker's trade in
Baltimore until his removal westward to Iowa in
1867. Settling in Columbus City, he there lived
a retired life.
Andrew Lischer was reared in Baltimore and pursued
his education in the grammar schools of that city.
Coming to Iowa with the family in 1867, he worked
at the shoemaker's trade, which he had previously
learned in Baltimore. For twenty-five years he
continued a resident of Columbus City and for
four years of that time served as its postmaster,
filling the position by appointment of Grover
Cleveland. His removal to Pottawattamie county
in 1892 was followed by the purchase of eighty
acres of land on section 3, Waveland township,
and here he has since carried on general agricultural
pursuits, having to day a well developed farm.
Mr. Lischer was married to Miss Catherine Leffler,
of Baltimore, Maryland, and they had two sons
and three daughters: Ed P., living in Dubuque;
Melvina, the wife of Emery Morrison, of Albia,
Iowa; Florence, the wife of Ora Book, of Waveland
township; Catharine, the wife of Hugh Winterstein,
of Wright township; and John, who resides in Idaho.
The wife and mother died in 1885 and Mr. Lischer
has since wedded Mrs. James Wooley, a widow,
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who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Frances Riley.
There are six children by this marriage: Fred,
George, Mary Elizabeth, Inez May, Martha Lillian
and Rosa Pearl, all of whom are still under the
parental roof.
Mr. Lischer votes with the democracy 8.nd has
been prominent in political circles in the different
localities in which he has resided. Aside from
serving as postmaster he was a member of the town
council and of the school board for many years
during his residence in Columbus City and he has
also been officially connected with the schools
for several years during his residence in Pottawattamie
county. He affiliates with the Knights of Pythias
lodge and attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which the family are members. He has
become one of the well known residents of Waveland
township, Having a life of activity and business
enterprise.
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A. H. Ives, carrying on general farming on section
10, Grove township, is a native of Bolton Centre
in the province of Quebec, Canada, where his birth
occurred March 4, 1840. He was one of p. large
family of thirteen children wh03e parents were
Titus and Hannah (Genna) Ives, the former a representative
of an old Philadelphia family, while the latter
was a member of one of the old families of Vermont.
When two years of age A. H. Ives went to live
with an uncle and remained a member of his household
until he had attained his majority. He remained
a resident of Vermont until 1857, when he accompanied
his uncle, Avery Ives, to Dewitt county, Illinois,
continuing with him until he had reached the age
of twenty-one; While living there he enlisted
in September, 1861, as a member of Company L,
Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel
Dickey. He was engaged in active duty along the
Mississippi river most of the time, participating
in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg
and various minor engagements. He served for a
little more than three years and in November,
1864, was mustered out.
Returning to his home, Mr. Ives resumed the pursuits
of civil life and was engaged in farming in Dewitt
county, Illinois, until 1882, when he removed
to Platte county, Nebraska. There he purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he
cultivated until 1902, when he sold that property
and bought his present farm comprising one hundred
and sixty acres on section 10, Grove township,
Pottawattamie county, Iowa. He has always engaged
in the occupation of farming and the practical
experience which he gained in early life enabled
him to carefully direct his labors when he started
out on his own account.
In October, 1867, occurred the marriage of A.
H. Ives and Alice Butterworth, who was born in
England in 1836. She could just remember the voyage
to America with her parents, being very young
when they crossed the Atlantic. For thirty-six
years Mr. and Mrs. Ives traveled life's journey
happily together but were separated by the death
of the wife October 22, 1903. They had three children:
Richmond L., who resides west of Oakland and is
married and has
998
six children; Bertus B., who operates the home
farm for his father and who married Florence Nay,
by whom he has one child, Alice C.; and Rose A.,
the wife of Charles Comstock, of Carson, by whom
she has three children.
Mr. Ives exercised his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the republican
party until his removal to Nebraska. He afterward
became a populist and is now a liberal democrat.
He held several township offices in Nebraska but
has never been a politician in the sense of office
seeking. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
church at Carson and affiliates with the Modern
Woodmen of America and with Carson post, G. A.
R., being today as true and loyal to his duties
of citizenship as when he followed the starry
banner upon the battlefields of the south.
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Silas C. Strong is numbered among the county's
pioneer citizens, having resided within its borders
since 1864. During the past two years he has made
his home in Oakland, having retired from active
business life as a farmer. He had lived in Center
township from 1864 until 1905 and as the years
passed by had engaged in the tilling of the soil,
bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation.
His life record began in Meigs county, Ohio,
October 13, 1837, his parents being James M. and
Melissa (Barker) Strong. The father was born in
New England and in his infancy was taken to Ohio,
where he was reared and married. In 1846 he brought
his family to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county
in the year in which the state was admitted to
the Union.
It was in that county that Silas C. Strong was
reared amid the wild scenes and environments of
pioneer life, the family sharing in all of the
hardships and privations incident to the settlement
of the frontier. Many portions of the state had
not been surveyed and the land was still in possession
of the government. It was mostly wild and windswept
prairie with timber at interval, along the streams,
and many believed that civilization would never
extend so far into the west, but the Strong family,
having faith in the future of the country, were
among those who early aided in reclaiming the
region for the purposes of civilization. Silas
C. Strong remained upon the home farm in Jefferson
county until twenty-one years of age. He was then
married to Miss Lucy Clover, who was born near
Deerfield, Ohio, and who was ten years of age
when she became a resident of Jefferson county,
Iowa, in company with her parents, James and Emily
(Smillen) Clover.
In the year 1864 Silas C. Strong and his young
wife came to Pottawattamie county and in the same
year his parents also removed here, residing upon
a farm until 1889, when they became residents
of Oakland, where their remaining days were passed.
The father died in 1896 at the advanced age of
eighty-four years, while the mother survived him
until 1902, passing away at the age of eighty-six
years.
999
Mr. and Mrs. Strong were among the pioneer residents
of Pottawattamie county and at an early day secured
three hundred and forty acres of wild land. As
the years passed he converted this into rich and
productive fields and at a later date he distributed
much of it among his children, still retaining,
however, a tract of eighty acres. They have a
daughter and four sons: Alice, the wife of A.
E. Wert, whose home is in Granite City, Illinois;
W. Fred, who is in Council Bluffs with the McAtee
grocery firm; James and C. C., who are farmers
on section 3, Center township; and Thomas R.,
who follows farming on section 5 of the same township.
Mr. and Mrs. Strong have now traveled life's
journey together for almost forty-nine years and
they expect to celebrate their golden wedding
in December, 1908. They are faithful members of
the Methodist Episcopal church and are worthy
Christian people, highly esteemed by all who know
them. Mr. Strong has served in various township
offices, the duties of which he has discharged
with promptness and fidelity and he well deserves
mention in a record devoted to those who have
been the real upbuilders and promoters of the
county's present greatness and prosperity, for
from pioneer times he has labored for its welfare
and has been identified with its interests.
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William Lewis, of Macedonia, dates his residence
in this county since 1870 and therefore for nearly
four decades has been a witness of its growth
and development. Although he is now largely living
retired, in former years he was extensively engaged
in the live-stock business, which proved profitable
owing to his capable management and labor intelligently
directed.
His birth occurred in La Salle county, Illinois,
about eight miles from a railroad, September 21,
1848. He is of Norwegian ancestry, his paternal
grandparents being Ola and Annie (Hayes) Lewis,
who were natives of Norway and came to Illinois
in 1839. Their remaining days were spent in La
Salle county, where they were numbered among the
worthy pioneer settlers. They had a family of
nine children, most of whom were born in Norway,
including Charles Lewis, the father of our subject,
who first opened his eyes to the light in the
land of the midnight sun, October 26, 1826. He
was thirteen years of age when he accompanied
his parents on their emigration to the United
States, the family home being established in La
Salle county, Illinois, where he lived until called
to his final rest. He was always greatly interested
in horses and largely engaged in buying and selling
live-stock. He died in 1861 and was long survived
by his wife, who passed away in La Salle county,
August 8, 1890. She bore the maiden name of Elizabeth
Hougas and was a daughter of Goodman and Julia
(Madlin) Hougas, natives of Norway. They came
to the United States about 1822, settling in Rochester,
New York, where their daughter Elizabeth was born.
The journey across the Atlantic was made in a
sailing vessel, which was the first ship that
ever brought Norwegian emigrants to the United
States and Mrs. Lewis was the first Norwegian
child
1000
born in this country whose parents came direct
from Norway. After living in Rochester, New York,
for some time they removed westward to Illinois
in 1830 and were identified with the pioneer development
of La Salle county. Their daughter Elizabeth was
born in Rochester about 1826 and by her marriage
became the mother of seven children: Julia, who
died in childhood: William; Christian, who died
at the age of twenty years; Edward, now of Nebraska;
Thomas, who died in childhood; Hannah, who passed
away at the age of twenty years; and Charles,
who died when only a year old. A. J. Anderson
of Macedonia is a representative of the first
Norwegian family in this locality. His mother
was an aunt of Mrs. Lewis' mother and came here
in 1848, settling at Wheelers Grove. The family
still own large tract of land which were entered
from the government and from an early day the
family have been prominent in this part of Pottawattamie
county.
William Lewis, whose name introduces this record,
was reared at the place of his nativity to the
age of twenty-two years, residing upon the old
homestead until 1870. He had lost his father in
1861 and being the eldest son of the family the
management of the home farm, comprising a half
section of land, devolved upon him. Although the
burden was a heavy one for young shoulders be
manfully took up the duties which came to him
and capably controlled the farming interests.
In 1870 he came alone to Pottawattamie county,
arriving in the fall of that year, and for a year
he lived at Wheelers Grove. In 1873 he located
in Macedonia township, where he purchased a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie.
This he improved and cultivated, residing upon
the farm for ten years, and it is still a part
of his property. When the first decade had passed
he bought a farm in Grove township of two hundred
acres, on which he also lived for ten years, when
he traded that property for a farm of two hundred
and thirty acres east of Carson. Removing to Macedonia,
he has since lived in the town, deriving his income
from good investments. He still owns the farm
of two hundred and thirty acres east of Carson
and altogether has six hundred acres of rich and
productive land in this county. He has bought
and sold considerable land in the county and in
the west and he has been extensively engaged in
buying, feeding and shipping stock of all kinds.
At one time he was one of the largest stock dealers
in this section but he turned the business over
to his sons and son-in-law, although he still
feeds stock to some extent but not so extensively
as formerly. Business of this character has been
his real occupation in life and because he is
an excellent judge of stock he has been enabled
to make judicious purchases and profitable sales.
He now has a fine home in Macedonia and lives
well.
In 1873 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Mrs.
Elizabeth Richards, who was born in Parke county,
Indiana, February 10, 1844, and is a daughter
of James and Elvina (Fisher) Schenck, natives
of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born
four children: Anna, now the wife of Grant Pilling,
of Macedonia; Arthur, who is extensively engaged
in farming and in feeding stock in Macedonia township;
Laura I., the wife of W. C. Miller, a druggist
of Macedonia; and Charles Marvin, also of this
city.
1001
Mr. Lewis has usually supported the republican
party, although he voted twice for Grover Cleveland.
He keeps well informed on the questions and issues
of the day but has never sought political preferment
for himself. He belongs to Ruby lodge, No. 416,
A. F. & A. M., and his life is in harmony
with its beneficent principles. A man of resolute
spirit, unfaltering in what he has undertaken,
he has steadily worked his way upward, becoming
one of the most prosperous residents of this part
of the county. At one time he had two sections
of land in this county and fifteen hundred acres
in Hardin county but has sold much of this and
given considerable to his children. He arrived
here with only twenty-three hundred dollars, most
of which had been acquired through former labor,
and with that sum to serve as a nucleus he has
developed his fortunes until he is now one of
the prosperous residents of Macedonia. He has
made an untarnished record and unspotted reputation
as a business man. In all places and under all
circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and
right, justly valuing his own self-respect as
infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and
position. He is also royally endowed in those
traits of character which combine to form that
which we term friendship.
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